Left Behind Games has recently released a slew of head-scratching religious-themed games. These include Scripture Chess, a game that displays Biblical quotes as you play chess; Praise Champion 2, (think Sing Star minus the secularity); and Left Behind 4: World at War, the latest in their series of strategy games based around the Apocalypse. While game critics say these games are simply bad, others claim religious games should be making peace, not war.
“Don’t mock Left Behind: Eternal Forces because it’s a Christian game. Mock it because it’s a very bad game,” GameSpot’s Brett Todd wrote. Todd says the game, which forces users to accept Jesus as their savior in order to rise against the forces of the Anti-Christ, has an unusual premise, but that “games are typically based on outlandish ideas, so it’s unfair to dismiss this one based on religious grounds.”
Still, another gaming commentator argues that the game glorifies violence and goes against Christ’s teachings.
“It’s faith-based killing that teaches God wants people dead if they don’t see Christ as you do,” the Rev. Tim Simpson, head of Christian Alliance for Progress, told USA Today. “Jesus would turn the other cheek.”
The violent aspect of the game also enraged religious groups like the Council on American-Islamic Relations, who said the game promoted discrimination and religious intolerance.
Still, my favorite reaction to the Left Behind series is this really strange avant garde film by alt. reality game creator Jim Babb.
-Jason Johnson